Random Thoughts on this Memorial Day Weekend

Some days I just have the urge to write. And today is one of those days. Just some random thoughts today . . .

It’s Hard to Raise Your Own Food

Not going to lie. I have been working in my garden and struggling with why certain plants are not growing. I know our spring has been cold, long and wet, but I am missing potato plants, peas and one of my rhubarb plants wilted. Not only that, I tilled up some extra garden space this year for sweet corn. The ground was so cloddy that I had a hard time planting into it. Needless to say, my husband retilled it and planted the sweet corn again. We will see if that works. If my family had to depend on the produce from my garden, we probably would be hungry. I am so thankful for other farmers who do this so I can feed my family a wide variety of foods and not just what grows in my garden. Check out a couple of my friends that grow vegetables and fruits – Pellegrini Farms (grows strawberries, raspberries and blueberries from Michigan) and Roberts Family Farms (grows many vegetables from Utah).

Yesterday was the March Against Monsanto. I never know how to properly respond to this event. As a farmer, we appreciate the research and efforts that companies like Monsanto, Syngenta and Dupont Pioneer has given us. We can now plant our crops with less pesticides and more tolerance for weather conditions. The last three years southern Minnesota has been in a drought. And yet, we harvested a crop with a respectable yield. We are thankful. Here is another great perspective of the March against Monsanto by Ryan Goodman.

Memorial Day

Ainsley’s Garden

Memorial Day comes once a year. A day we remember those loved ones that are not longer here. For my family, we have two special people we are missing. My granddaughter, whose birthday is also today, and my father-in-law. We miss both of them dearly. Yes, I cried my eyes out earlier today. Crying does the body good. I miss her and I feel helpless with the pain of my daughter and son-in-law. We just planted a memorial garden names after her–Ainsley’s Garden. The garden’s purpose is for all parents who have lost children through child loss, stillborn or miscarriage. Stepping stones have the children’s names on them.

Outdoor Movies

My granddaughter celebrated her 7th birthday party with friends this past Friday night. My daughter, who loves Pinterest and creative, had a “movie” theme for the party. The girls voted on a movie to watch and was projected onto a “screen” on their garage. Let me just say, the outdoor movie was awesome! She used an old laptop computer to play the movie, connected an outdoor speaker to the computer for sound, rented a projector from the county library for $25 and put a painter’s cloth on the garage for the screen. It was great!

Outdoor Movies

70’s Music

I said this was going to be random. I love Sirius XM radio in my vehicle! And I do listen to the 70’s music a lot. It just puts me in a different mindset – a mindset I don’t get to with other music. Anyone for a little Boston, Elton John or Blue Oyster Cult? Now don’t get me wrong, that’s not all I listen to but it’s a great music option for me. What kind of music do you listen to?

Okay, that’s it for my random thoughts. Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. Spend it with your loved ones if possible. Remember what is important in your life. And even as passionate I am about agriculture, my family is more important.

Comments

I like your randomness! If my family had to live on what I grow, we would starve! My garden always makes me grateful there are farmers! I am sorry for the loss of your family members – the memorial garden is a touching idea. Thank you for sharing about it.